August 30, 2002, Waters restoration roadmap taking shape

August 30, 2002

Waters restoration roadmap taking shape:
Targets identified, prioritized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Lucia Ross
(850) 488-1073

TALLAHASSEE - Florida is one step closer to cleaning up the state's impaired
waters with the final approval by the Department of Environmental Protection
of a priority list of water bodies that need restoration. Culminating months
of public evaluation, DEP Secretary David B. Struhs signed the final order
identifying the first round of targeted water bodies. The list of impaired
waters will be forwarded to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for
approval by October 1, 2002.

Over the next five years, hundreds of water bodies will be evaluated
in accordance with federal and state law using the latest science. A plan
for restoration will be established for those demonstrated to be impaired.

"Thanks to input from the public, scientific experts, community
partnerships, and regulatory agencies, a workable, common-sense
environmental plan is in place," said Secretary Struhs.

Each year, one of five groups of water bodies from around the state will be
assessed. The "rotating basin" approach, endorsed by the respected National
Academy of Sciences, will be repeated to allow DEP to closely monitor their
health.

"By anyone's definition, this is a massive undertaking, but by dividing the
job into five equal parts, state resources can be more effectively managed,"
said Struhs. "The career professionals at DEP have again performed a
valuable public service, and it is rewarding to see their hard work
recognized favorably by their peers."

The official impaired waters list is available on the DEP website at
http://www.floridadep.org/water/tmdl/verified.htm

-30-

Myth

DEP is weakening water quality standards.

DEP is removing 600 water bodies from the official list of
impaired waters.

DEP's methodology for identifying impaired waters is arbitrary.

DEP's approach will prevent or slow the clean up of impaired waters.

DEP's Impaired Waters rule raises the bar so high that few waters
will ever be classified as "impaired" and will not then be restored.

Because it is no longer on the list of impaired waters, polluted
Lake Okeechobee is being ignored.

Reality

   DEP devised a rule that, for the first time, attacks all sources of
   water pollution through an approach that is fully consistent with
   the Clean Water Act. The Department is implementing a comprehensive,
   five-year plan to identify waters that are "impaired" and prioritize
   them for clean up.

   DEP is not taking 600 waters off the official list of impaired waters.
   DEP is evaluating waters in each of the state's basins on a five-year
   rotating schedule. If a waterbody has not been evaluated this year, or
   is not meeting standards, it will remain on the official list of
   impaired waters.

   DEP's methodology is based on sound, verifiable scientific data and
   analysis. DEP's "rotating basin" approach is endorsed by the
   National Academy of Sciences and was upheld by an
   administrative law judge.

DEP's approach is designed to accelerate clean up of impaired waters.
Identifying stakeholders is only the first step. The plan establishes a
comprehensive approach using sound science and the involvement of a
broad range of stakeholders. Cleaning up impaired waters will take the
participation of local governments, businesses and citizens.

DEP's rule reasonably requires valid, reliable water quality data to
establish impairment. If the data is not available, DEP will work with
local stakeholders to secure other scientific documentation.

Lake Okeechobee was the first Florida water body to have a
pollution limit, or total maximum daily load (TMDL) established.
It is now being implemented and restoration of the lake has begun.

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http://www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/comm/2002/02_830waters.htm